WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - May 20, 2010) - The Online News Association, the world's largest membership organization of digital journalists, today announced its second year of free training for digital journalists, thanks to a renewed grant from the Gannett Foundation.
The $25,000 in funding enables ONA to continue its popular Parachute Training program, which so far has helped more than 200 journalists in communities hard hit by media closures and job losses update their digital media skills.
"Gannett Foundation is pleased to continue its partnership and support of ONA and the work they are doing to improve the digital experience and skill sets of journalists," said Virgil Smith, Vice President of Talent Management and Human Resources at Gannett.
In 2009 and 2010, ONA brought its considerable resources to Ann Arbor, Mich., and Bradenton, Fla., where digital journalists from all platforms came together to learn from experts and each other. The next training is scheduled for June 5 at the University Alabama, Birmingham, in partnership with the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists. Los Angeles is targeted for the fourth round of training.
The sessions are tailored specifically to the needs of independent, community, non-profit, displaced and employed journalists, bloggers and entrepreneurs. Trainers include leaders in their fields, covering the latest in multimedia, blogging, mobile, legal and business issues, free web tools, marketing through social networks and finding a niche on the web.
"We're delighted to get the green light to continue bringing free training directly to journalists across the country," said ONA Board President Christine Montgomery. "It's one of the most important -- and rewarding -- things we do."
The Online News Association is the world's largest association of online journalists. ONA's mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, bloggers, technologists, photographers and others who produce news for the Internet or other digital delivery systems, as well as academic members and others interested in the development of online journalism. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc. whose mission is to invest in the future of the communities in which Gannett does business, and in the future of our industry. It supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.
Contact Information:
For more information, contact:
Jane McDonnell
Executive Director
Online News Association